When a country experiences an act of terrorism, it is indeed, a time of deep tragedy. When innocent victims lose lives, it is a time to offer support, reach out to the families of those who have lost a loved one. It is also a time when neighbouring nations and public figures take to their social media handles to extend their heartfelt condolences and use their platform as a means to reach the thousands or millions who’re listening.
In other words, their words are meant to send a message, loud and clear: “This is who I am, and this is what I want to say.”
So when Pakistani public figures and celebrities speak up on the Pahalgam attacks, to condemn the forces that took innocent lives, to extend their heartfelt condolences, one appreciates the effort.
This is what humanity is. No life is less valuable than another, and no one is a child of a lesser God.
But that said, here’s the problem.
When a nation points fingers at the same nation the celebrity belongs to and takes instant measures to inflict damage to their people, their livelihood, mode of sustenance and public and international image, something must give. To all those Pakistani celebrities who post on Pahalgam, or any attack on Indian soil that has been met by a resounding threat, a hostile move and the recent unprecedented decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty (Banning Fawad Khan’s Abir Gulaal is a drop in the ocean compared to the sustenance and livelihood of our farmers and the millions who are affected), one wonders if our celebrities, (especially those who are the flag bearers of India-Pakistan goodwill), should not be calling out the impulsive and hugely aggressive sentiments of not just the government, but also some media portals and ordinary citizens in India (some of whom happen to be your fans too, and likely follow your social media handle).
If you are a Pakistani celebrity who has millions of fans in neighbouring India, and who believes that your cross-border relationships have stood the test of wars and hostility between the two nations, maybe now is the time to use that social media handle and speak for your country.
Your words do not have to be inflammatory or aggressive, but all they need to show is respect for who you are, your country, your countrymen and women, and gratitude and pride for the nation you represent.
To all those celebrities who tried to say it, typed it out in their head or on their cellphones but then deleted it before posting your thoughts, here’s some help. We coined a statement for you:
“My deepest condolences for the tragedy in Pahalgam, the act was one of unimaginable terror and my heart goes out to the innocent loss of lives and the families who mourn them.
“It is sad however, that the nation I hold so dear and with whom many Pakistanis have shared positive experiences (it goes both ways) has chosen to lay the blame, yet again, on my country and taken such an extreme and unprecedented step of suspending the Indus Water Treaty. Cutting off a nation’s water supply is not a decision to be taken overnight, or ever, and I believe that it was possibly one made in haste and anger.
Prayers for peace and good sense to prevail.
Sending good vibes”
For the unschooled, the Indus Water Treaty was signed between Prime Minister Jawarharlal Nehru of India and President Mohammad Ayub Khan of Pakistan in 1960 to ensure undisrupted water supply through a river sharing agreement. It has stood the test of multiple wars and hostile relations between both countries.
Now, as India threatens to disrupt the water supply to Pakistan (among announcing various other ‘punitive’ measures), it should be noted that there is no suspension clause mentioned in the treaty, hence, this move by the Indian authorities is a grey area for political pundits and any intermediary body who attempts to resolve the issue between both countries. For more on the Indus Water Treaty, click here.
History has proven time and again that wars and harsh words never solve a conflict. But staying silent or not raising your voice at the right time, for the right cause, can vastly damage the self-esteem, self respect and value that not only you hold dear to yourself, but also how others perceive you.
In times like these, never forget that your self-respect and sense of pride is deeply ingrained in the people and place you belong to.
If not for yourselves, speak up for the nation who has given you this honour – because at least for now, your silence on a critical issue is speaking louder than your words. And silence is not what your nation and your several thousand or million fans need to hear from you.
They deserve more, and so do you.
I am an Indian and follow Pakistani dramas as well as your channel.
Well…the situation can be quickly defused if the terrorists of the Resistance Front be handed over to the Indian government by the Pakistan Government. That is when we will believe that Pakistan is condemning the attack and bereaving the innocent lives lost.
I mean US had to do a covert operation to kill Bin Laden in Pakistan. Situation should not come to that.
Also, India may have threatened to cancel the Indus treaty- but practically it is not possible to divert the water. India will have to build dams and canals to be able to divert the water.
So do not react like this.
These are political games being played – right now every Indian is outraged and correctly so. And this came immediately after the Chief of the Army of Pakistan did an anti India rant and claimed Kashmir as their jugular vein! WHatever said and done, in 1947- Kashmir was not a part of Pakistan